Benjamin Haddad

you know, it's not war, but it's certainly not peace. And this is why we need to continue to increase our effort, first to bolster our defense against these hybrid attacks. We know that we're in a world that's much more geopolitically dangerous. We have adversaries and rivals. And this is why we need to continue to increase the coordination on the defense and security capabilities of Europeans. But

I think we've known for a long time that we were facing a threat coming from Russia. And by the way, we just need to listen to the constant questioning of European security, of the European security architecture coming from the leaders in the Kremlin. So I think, you know, the most important thing is calm, stay the course, continue to invest in our security and defense, continue the support for Ukraine, continue the pressure and the economic pressure that we're putting on Russia. You can see, by the way, what's happening on the battlefield with Ukrainians showing incredible ingeniosity and innovation on the battlefield with drones, you can see the success of the long-range strikes. They're…

When you look at discussions we've had with the United States over the last year, you can see that the U.S. is in NATO. We had a successful NATO summit, actually, this year. see all the members of NATO increasing their defense spending, which I think is good for the alliance. It's also good to bolster the European pillar of NATO. This is something we support. If you want a more balanced, a more mature security relationship, where Europeans can take ownership of their own security and defense, this is something that the U.S. presidents have been demanding. But the truth is, this is also something that we want. So we should, know, read the writing on the wall. draw the conclusions from this,…

When you look at discussions we've had with the United States over the last year, you can see that the U.S. is in NATO. We had a successful NATO summit, actually, this year. see all the members of NATO increasing their defense spending, which I think is good for the alliance. It's also good to bolster the European pillar of NATO. This is something we support. If you want a more balanced, a more mature security relationship, where Europeans can take ownership of their own security and defense, this is something that the U.S. presidents have been demanding. But the truth is, this is also something that we want. So we should, know, read the writing on the wall. draw the conclusions from this,…

said very clearly that when it comes to the situation in Iran and the Strait of Hormuz, we were looking for de-escalation of the conflict that can create the conditions after the war to have an international coalition where France will take its part to support the freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. And then what's really important afterwards, and this is what was agreed, by the way, at the time in Versailles, is to set the condition for diplomacy to deal with the Iranian nuclear program, which is a security threat for the entire region. Well, I mean, once again, you know, this is not a war that was started by Europeans. We will be ready to take our part, really, to lead to the f…

Well, we have been in support of Spain. And I think the Spanish authorities have clearly taken the measures to be able to respond to this situation, despite the emergency and the dramatic humanitarian nature of this crisis. I'm absolutely convinced that the best way to deal with these extraordinary complex issues of immigration is to do it through European cooperation.

We asked the Commission to look, especially technically, on what we could do with them, because this is where, you know, both technically and legally, we could not find unanimity and consensus. And it is clear that these assets will remain where they are, as long as there's still the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine ongoing, and Russia refuses to pay reparations. So we're open to having, you know, the debate on what to do next with these assets.

know, I think you see the rise of the far right and populist everywhere in Europe. And we should take this with a lot of humility. our first responsibility, first, is to continue to deliver on results. All the issues that we're discussing here today, from migration and security, from competitiveness, prosperity, from defending the security of Europeans against foreign threats, have a lot to continue to do and to continue to deliver and function. then I will tell you something. You know, this will be, as every election, a tough election. It's still a long way to go. And never trust the polls because when I personally started supporting Emmanuel Macron in 2016, he was far, far behind. He I kn…

said, this is not the approach that was taken by France.

what I can tell you is that France has shown solidarity with Spain and that I think Spain has been effective in answering this crisis.

You know, France has been a major target for foreign disinformation and interference. We've seen episodes, remember, when President Macron was attacked on a video when he was going on the train to Ukraine. The rule should be very clear. What's illegal in the real world should be illegal in the virtual world. And this is the criteria that presides in these instruments.

it's very important that we reiterate our full solidarity and support for the German authorities and German people. And it's one more episode of Russia's hybrid warfare against Europeans. But we will never be intimidated in our support for Ukraine. This is the first test for European security. And we've only accelerated and increased our support for Ukraine at the European level in the last month. Remember where we were just a year and a half ago, after the Oval Office meeting between President Trump, President Zelensky, Vice President Vence, many people thought that Europeans would stand aside as Ukraine would be forced into capitulation by a deal signed by Russia and the United States. On…

you know, it's not war, but it's certainly not peace. And this is why we need to continue to increase our effort, first to bolster our defense against these hybrid attacks. We know that we're in a world that's much more geopolitically dangerous. We have adversaries and rivals. And this is why we need to continue to increase the coordination on the defense and security capabilities of Europeans. But

I think we've known for a long time that we were facing a threat coming from Russia. And by the way, we just need to listen to the constant questioning of European security, of the European security architecture coming from the leaders in the Kremlin. So I think, you know, the most important thing is calm, stay the course, continue to invest in our security and defense, continue the support for Ukraine, continue the pressure and the economic pressure that we're putting on Russia. You can see, by the way, what's happening on the battlefield with Ukrainians showing incredible ingeniosity and innovation on the battlefield with drones, you can see the success of the long-range tracks. They're b…

When you look at discussions we've had with the United States over the last year, you can see that the U.S. is in NATO. We had a successful NATO summit, actually, this year. see all the members of NATO increasing their defense spending, which I think is good for the alliance. It's also good to bolster the European pillar of NATO. This is something we support. If you want a more balanced, a more mature security relationship, where Europeans can take ownership of their own security and defense, this is something that the U.S. presidents have been demanding. But the truth is, this is also something that we want. So we should, know, read the writing on the wall, draw the conclusions from this,…

said very clearly that when it comes to the situation in Iran and the Strait of Hormuz, we were looking for a de-escalation of the conflict that can create the conditions after the war to have an international coalition where France will take its part to support the freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. And then what's really important afterwards, and this is what was agreed, by the way, at the time in Versailles, is to set the condition for diplomacy to deal with the Iranian nuclear program, which is a security threat for the entire region. Well, I mean, once again, you know, this is not a war that was started by Europeans. We will be ready to take our part, really, to lead to the…

When you look at discussions we've had with the United States over the last year, you can see that the U.S. is in NATO. We had a successful NATO summit, actually, this year. see all the members of NATO increasing their defense spending, which I think is good for the alliance. It's also good to bolster the European pillar of NATO. This is something we support. If you want a more balanced, a more mature security relationship, where Europeans can take ownership of their own security and defense, this is something that the U.S. presidents have been demanding. But the truth is, this is also something that we want. So we should, know, read the writing on the wall, draw the conclusions from this,…

We asked the Commission to look, especially technically, on what we could do with them, because this is where, you know, both technically and legally, we could not find unanimity and consensus. And it is clear that these assets will remain where they are, as long as there's still the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine ongoing, and Russia refuses to pay reparations. So we're open to having, you know, the debate on what to do next with these assets.

Well, we have been in support of Spain. And I think the Spanish authorities have clearly taken the measures to be able to respond to this situation, despite the emergency and the dramatic humanitarian nature of this crisis. I'm absolutely convinced that the best way to deal with these extraordinary complex issues of immigration is to do it through European cooperation.

said, this is not the approach that was taken by France.

what I can tell you is that France has shown solidarity with Spain and that I think Spain has been effective in answering this crisis.

know, I think you see the rise of the far right and populist everywhere in Europe. And we should take this with a lot of humility. And our first responsibility, first, is to continue to deliver on results. All the issues that we're discussing here today, from migration and security, from competitiveness, prosperity, from defending the security of Europeans against foreign threats. have a lot to continue to do and to continue to deliver and function. then I will tell you something. You know, this will be, as every election, a tough election. It's still a long way to go. And never trust the polls because when I personally started supporting Emmanuel Macron in 2016, he was far, far behind. He…

You know, France has been a major target for foreign disinformation and interference. We've seen episodes, remember, when President Macron was attacked on a video when he was going on the train to Ukraine. The rule should be very clear. What's illegal in the real world should be illegal in the virtual world. And this is the criteria that presides in these instruments.

completely share your assessment of this. You know, deeply believe that enlargement an opportunity for Europeans. it's geopolitical necessity to anchor peace and stability on our continent, especially when you see level of interference that you have predators and rivals. Russia others the Western Balkans, Moldova, of course, the war of aggression on Ukraine. you know, don't have a lot of personal decoration in my office because it's not a very stable job. So you should not get too attached to the place. But there's one poster that I brought from Sarajevo a few years ago from the siege of Sarajevo in 95 says Europe wake up. Sarajevo is calling you. There's one expression I never use. I don't…